The Franz Family

Andrea was a healthy young girl living life like a normal teenager. She loved hanging out with friends, hiking and taking care of her dog, cat, and bearded dragon.

In the beginning of Andrea’s freshman year of High School in 2021 she was rushed from Union General Hospital In Blairsville, Ga by ambulance to the Children’s Scottish Rite Hospital Of Atlanta, GA. Andrea was in the hospital for 7 day’s where they did multiple test and blood work and then diagnosed her with Chron’s / Ulcerative Colitis disease. 

Andrea was being treated with the drug called the Humira pen but then her body built antibodies against it and it was no longer working for her. Since then Andrea has been treated by all other infusions on the market including one made for adults but none of these were helping her and she was still having difficulties.

The last resort for Andrea was where the Dr would have to do three separate surgeries and the first one started in the fall of 2022, the second surgery was in Jan of 2023, and the third surgery was in March of 2023. 

Unfortunately Andrea’s last surgery wasn’t a success and she’s had to under go a fourth surgery just a few days after to put the stoma back. Since then she hasn’t left the hospital. Andrea had a NG tube put in place and has had multiple x-rays and CT scans. The CT scan showed three abscesses and they had to put two drains in place and found fluid in her lungs that they had to drain. A few days after draining her lung she’s come down with pneumonia. 

 Andrea has many ups and downs of feeling good and then being in severe pain. She wants to get better so she can go home. 

“Your illness does not define you. Your strength and courage DOES.”